Sawm | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Introduction

Sawm refers to the mandatory fasting that Muslims undertake from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

• The Islamic calendar follows a lunar system, meaning Ramadan occurs at different times in the solar year.
• Sawm is recognized as the fourth pillar of Islam for Sunni Muslims and is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts for Shi’a Muslims.
• The fast is traditionally broken at sunset, often with a sweet item like dates.
• Following this, a larger communal meal is typically shared.

The Night of Power

• The Night of Power, known as Laylat al-Qadr, is a significant occasion commemorating the start of God’s revelation.
• It marks the night when the Angel Jibril first appeared to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and began revealing the Qur’an.

‘Proclaim! In the name of your Lord who created: He formed man from a clot of blood. Proclaim! Your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, and taught what he [Muhammad] did not know’ (Qur’an 96:1–5).

Muslims believe that worship during the Night of Power equates to the rewards of worshipping for a thousand months (Qur’an 97:3).

• Muslims strive to stay awake through the night on each possible date of the Night of Power, engaging in prayer and Qur’an recitation.
• Communities gather in mosques to celebrate, and it is believed that Allah forgives sins during this time.
• This event is observed during Ramadan as an expression of gratitude for the Qur’an.

Significance of Fasting During Ramadan

• Ramadan coincides with the month when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is believed to have received the initial revelation of the Qur’an, prompting Muslims to prioritize spiritual focus over physical desires.
• Fasting fosters spiritual discipline and self-control.

‘O you who believe! Fasting is ordained for you as it was for those before you, so that you may cultivate self-restraint’ (Qur’an 2:183).

• Experiencing hunger during fasting helps Muslims empathize with the poor, who face such conditions regularly.
• This encourages Muslims to support the less fortunate, with many paying Zakah during Ramadan.
• Fasting strengthens the ummah, as Muslim families come together for meals at suhur and iftar.
• It is also a time for increased devotion, with many Muslims attending night prayers at the mosque.
• The Qur’an instructs Muslims to fast, stating, ‘Fasting is prescribed for you…so that you may attain righteousness.’

Practices Observed During Sawm

Practices During Ramadan

• During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, music, and sexual activity from dawn until dusk. They are also expected to avoid negative thoughts and unkind words.
• Muslims rise before dawn to eat and drink sufficiently to sustain them throughout the day.
• The evening meal, often shared with loved ones, is accompanied by prayers and Qur’anic readings.
• Ramadan emphasizes both physical and moral discipline, fostering obedience to Allah and an understanding of hunger.
• It is a period for deeper engagement with the Qur’an, mosque attendance, and increased efforts to assist those in need.
• The entire Qur’an is recited from start to finish during Ramadan.
• Many Muslims divide the Qur’an into daily portions, reciting it over the 30 days of Ramadan.
• This practice reinforces the significance of the Qur’an’s teachings and their relevance to daily life.
• Certain groups of Muslims may be exempt from fasting, including:
  • Children who have not reached puberty.
  • Elderly individuals and those with medical conditions.
  • Women who are pregnant or menstruating.
  • Nursing mothers.
  • Travelers.
• When feasible, Muslims who miss fasting days are required to make up for them by fasting an equivalent number of days after Ramadan.
• Shi’a Muslims observe fasting similarly but also dedicate three days during Ramadan to mourn the death of Ali.